The 2004-05 National Health Survey collected information on long term mental health problems. From this information, the following points were estimated regarding the Tasmanian population:

11.7% of people had a long-term mental or behavioural problem; and

females were more likely to have mood (affective) and/or anxiety problems than males.

MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS(a), Tasmania, 2004-05

Males

Females

Persons

Type of Mental health problem

%

%

%

Mood (affective) problems

3.9

6.6

5.2

Anxiety related problems

3.7

6.1

4.9

Other mental and behavioural problems

6.1

4.3

5.2

Total(b)

11.1

12.4

11.7

(a) Conditions which have lasted or are expected to last 6 months or more.(b) Total includes all people with one or more condition, therefore the individual conditions do not add up to the total. Source: National Health Survey: Summary of Results; State Tables, 2004-05 (Cat. No. 4362.0).

MEDICATION

An estimated 20.4% of Tasmanians aged 18 years used medication for their mental well-being in the two weeks prior to interview, with 13.8% using pharmaceutical medications and 9.3% using vitamin or mineral supplements, or herbal or natural medications.

As measured by the Kessler 10 scale, an estimated 12.6% of Tasmanians aged 18 years and over experienced high or very high levels of stress levels in the 4 weeks prior to interview.

LEVEL OF CURRENT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS(a)(b), Tasmania, 2004-05

Males

Females

Persons

Level of psychological distress

%

%

%

Low (10-15)

69.8

64.6

67.2

Moderate (16-21)

19.0

21.1

20.1

High (22-29)

8.2

9.5

8.8

Very high (30-50)

2.7

4.9

3.8

Total(c)

100.0

100.0

100.0

(a) As measured by the Kessler 10 scale, from which a score of 10 to 50 is produced.(b) Persons aged 18 years and above.(c) Total includes not stated.Source: National Health Survey: Summary of Results; State Tables, 2004-05 (Cat. No. 4362.0).

Further information on mental health in Tasmania is available from the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) website: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au.

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